Centurion Serial Number Database
#1976
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Background: Getting back to an Ironman, and a sub-reason: complete overhaul and re-assembly of my Cinelli.
As if I needed a reason to build another Ironman, but this is going to be my go-to bike for about 4-5 months.
It's getting there. Nothing is set in stone.
Taking suggestions. I have thick skin, so let it fly, so to speak....I think there's too many choices for a poll....
As if I needed a reason to build another Ironman, but this is going to be my go-to bike for about 4-5 months.
It's getting there. Nothing is set in stone.
Taking suggestions. I have thick skin, so let it fly, so to speak....I think there's too many choices for a poll....
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 06-03-15 at 06:04 AM.
#1977
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Whoa. Great.
I love Centurions! My first decent road bike was / is a 77 Super LeMans in firey orange. Recently I found a 76 Pro Tour with with full gen 1 cyclone gear, almost mint paint, sold it to a gentlemen who had the same bike same color brand new back in the 70s. He traded me for some cash and a 86 Dave Scot with full 600 grouping. I also just picked up a 70s Centurion frame that I'm restoring, not sure what this one is yet, weird serial number stamp on the seat tube. Anyways, here are some pics, cheers!
#1979
tantum vehi
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I've become a curmudgeon at age 40, sheesh. Usually I'm a fan of silver, but the black rims, seat post, stem and crank arms are a nice accent to the red and white. The more I look at it, the more I like it. What do you have in mind for brake levers, shifters and bar tape?
#1980
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I know it's all about marketing, but I feel the labels on modern V rims detract from an otherwise beautiful rim. And modern cranks just look heavy with their nearly full coverage of metal, if you know what I mean. Yours is one of the more "open" I've seen - is it a variant of octalink? Similarly, these new cranks with the spindle integrated into the crank so there is no spindle bolt on the drive side seem asymmetrical to me for some reason, and again, it just looks like solid metal and heavy. The chainring looks like it has been pressed so there are folds in it (ie it's not perfectly flat)- do you think it is to increase lateral strength and prevent it from folding over?
I've become a curmudgeon at age 40, sheesh. Usually I'm a fan of silver, but the black rims, seat post, stem and crank arms are a nice accent to the red and white. The more I look at it, the more I like it. What do you have in mind for brake levers, shifters and bar tape?
I've become a curmudgeon at age 40, sheesh. Usually I'm a fan of silver, but the black rims, seat post, stem and crank arms are a nice accent to the red and white. The more I look at it, the more I like it. What do you have in mind for brake levers, shifters and bar tape?
1-Yes, that is an Octalink crankset, FSA Team Issue Carbon Pro (a mouthful for a simple crankset). It bolts in from both sides.
Got some figgerin' to do.
Thanks for the advice.
"Keep those cards and letters coming, folks." - Dean Martin
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 06-03-15 at 06:07 AM.
#1981
aka: Dr. Cannondale
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Far be it from me to tell you what Your Final Ironman should look like, especially since you'll change it around anyway.
But I do think it needs a headset.
But I do think it needs a headset.
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
#1986
Senior Member
Most of the members here are American (or Canadian). Our Centurion disappeared about 25 years ago. It was a shock to me to see Centurion well and alive here in Europe when I moved to Sweden last year.
Your bike is also quite recent, probably falling beneath the radar of folks here in the classic and vintage subforum.
Your bike is also quite recent, probably falling beneath the radar of folks here in the classic and vintage subforum.
#1987
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While dating some Centurion models for a forum member, I noticed what I believe to be a series sequence in the format. Based on this, I was able to predict the model years, which were verified using info on the components, tubing and graphics. Due to the small sample size this could all be co-incidence, but I'd like explore the matter further. Therfore, it would be greatly appreciated if Centurion (and Diamondback) owners would summit their serial numbers, including the year (if known), model name, tubing, major compnents and if possible, pictures. You can post it here or send it to me via the forum e-mail or private message sytem. Thank-you in advance for your assistance.
Refer to post #62 for the results of the analysis - T-Mar.
Refer to post #62 for the results of the analysis - T-Mar.
#1988
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I think it is looking good. I like the black stem/post/rims that let the paint job do its thing. For the same reason I agree with mountaindave about the decals on the rims. I think the red there competes with/detracts from the very nice red of the frame. I like the look of the crankset but if you have options I'd also try out an all-black one... Looking forward to seeing more!
#1989
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I'm asking for year of manufacture for my bike, because I have a problem with a potential buyer who claims that my bike was produced in 2001, but I know that it was produced in period 2010.-2012. For example, central shock absorber DT Swiss M210 is produced since 2009...
#1990
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You can also use date codes for equipment like derailleurs and cranks to date a bicycle. Or you can find a different buyer who believes what you say.
#1992
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I'm asking for year of manufacture for my bike, because I have a problem with a potential buyer who claims that my bike was produced in 2001, but I know that it was produced in period 2010.-2012. For example, central shock absorber DT Swiss M210 is produced since 2009...
#1993
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I'm asking for year of manufacture for my bike, because I have a problem with a potential buyer who claims that my bike was produced in 2001, but I know that it was produced in period 2010.-2012. For example, central shock absorber DT Swiss M210 is produced since 2009...
#1995
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#1996
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History of one Centurion, German Centurion...
History - CENTURION Bikes
It seems that my bike part of some third Centurion... But, Manitou Six Super is generation according 2002. ...
History - CENTURION Bikes
It seems that my bike part of some third Centurion... But, Manitou Six Super is generation according 2002. ...
Last edited by miligor; 06-30-15 at 12:54 AM.
#1997
Senior Member
N7E5899
87 ironman master:
still a bit of a work in progress even though i ride her: dang seat post is still stuck! I may have to cut it out. currently I am using ammonia and then riding without the bolt -hoping it will seep in and eventually free it.
anyway. seat height is about 1.5cm too short for me.. keeps me on my toes!
87 ironman master:
still a bit of a work in progress even though i ride her: dang seat post is still stuck! I may have to cut it out. currently I am using ammonia and then riding without the bolt -hoping it will seep in and eventually free it.
anyway. seat height is about 1.5cm too short for me.. keeps me on my toes!
Last edited by jetboy; 06-30-15 at 11:08 AM. Reason: spelling
#1998
Senior Member
History of one Centurion, German Centurion...
History - CENTURION Bikes
It seems that my bike part of some third Centurion... But, Manitou Six Super is generation according 2002. ...
History - CENTURION Bikes
It seems that my bike part of some third Centurion... But, Manitou Six Super is generation according 2002. ...
#1999
Senior Member
my other one (bought the frame from an inmate here)
N7M0548
Ironman expert- built up with whatever I had on hand. I'd say I was influenced by RobbieTunes but the colors are really just happenstance. I do have some black bar tape and will probably go black with the tubing. the grey stuff is old that I am just using to test lengths.
N7M0548
Ironman expert- built up with whatever I had on hand. I'd say I was influenced by RobbieTunes but the colors are really just happenstance. I do have some black bar tape and will probably go black with the tubing. the grey stuff is old that I am just using to test lengths.
#2000
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The bicycle industry, was originally dominated by England and the USA, whose larger companies sold worldwide. However, as smaller countries started to establish their bicycle industries, they set up protectional tariffs.Consequently, national branding was quite common around the turn of the 20th century, . However, as these eased off and opportunites for foreign sales increased, manufacturers started broadening their registration. At the start of the 1970s bicycle boom, continental registration seemed to be most common. For instance, a USA brand might be registered in the USA, Canada and Mexico while a German company might be registered thoughout Europe. However, the bicycle boom blew that wide open, at least for bicycle companies, leading to the global registrations that are commonplace these days.
WSI, the original owner the Centurion brand in the USA, appears to have had little aspiration beyond the USA market, consequently leading to the establishment of a non-related brand in Germany. When Weiner decided to sell WSI, all the bicycles were consolidated under the Diamondback brand, which had previously been used for the BMX and ATB models. What it did was allow global marketing of the bicycles under the established Diamondback brand, particularly the sale of road bicycles in Europe, which would not have been permitted under the Centurion label. Whether this was a pre-sale move by Weiner to facilitate the sale of WSI or a post sale decision by the purchaser, China Bicycle Company, it was clearly a move to take the bicycles global by avoiding brand name conflict.
There are numerous other examples within the bicycle industry. Being Canadian you're probably familiar with the Canadian brand of Miele bicycles, originally owned by Guvin and currently owned by Procycle. However, they was also a German bicycle brand named Miele, and it is apparently the same company that makes appliances. Even though the companies are unrelated, appliance and bicycles can be both be marketed in Canada under the Miele name, apparently because they do not impact each others' sales. That seems to the gist behind the brand registration regulations. It certainly would be interesting to see what would happen if one company developed such a poor reputation that it could be proven to have impacted sales of the other company's product via name association!
I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their continued contributions and support of this thread. 2.000 posts is quite an achievement and your input has significantly contributed to expanding the public knowledge of the brand(s).
Last edited by T-Mar; 07-04-15 at 09:12 AM. Reason: rewording & inclusion of CBC